Strategic Relationship Marketing Seminar @GBC

I recently attended the Strategic Relationship Marketing Seminar at George Brown College (GBC), which featured three accomplished alumni speakers: Claudia Guillem, Kate Loskutova, and Arsheen Chopra. They shared their career journeys and gave actionable advice for building a strong foundation in marketing. Here are the key highlights of what they have shared:

Claudia Guillem: Marketing Manager at The Roundtable

Claudia emphasized the value of GBC’s Strategic Relationship Marketing program and highlighted key courses like CRM Fundamentals, CRM Strategy, and CX Retention Marketing. These courses, she said, helped her gain knowledge and skills to succeed in her career.

She shared that, instead of chasing high-demand roles, she focused on positions that matched her specific skills as her target for co-op. She suggested us to share our strengths and skills that we have learned through GBC marketing program during interviews. She encouraged us to stay confident and believe in ourselves. She also recommended us to send a follow-up mail to the hiring team after rejections to leave a positive impression. Her advice to “fake it till you make it” inspired us to be confident, even when starting in unfamiliar situations.

Kate Loskutova: Lexus National Marketing at Toyota

Kate Loskutova: Lexus National Marketing at Toyota

Kate spoke about her experience working on social media campaigns for Toyota. Among the program’s offerings, she identified the Co-op course as the most helpful, providing her with hands-on experience and a clear understanding of workplace dynamics. She recommended us to take mock interviews as they help us to build confidence and prepare us for actual interviews. She said having mentors and sponsors can make a big difference in career growth.

Kate also suggested reading The First 90 Days book to prepare for how to start with new roles and how to perform well during of initial days without struggling. She stressed the importance of clear communication with managers, especially identifying their top three priorities early on. ?She recommended students to build connections through LinkedIn with professionals who work in the marketing field. Finally, she encouraged students to attend career fairs and networking events to meet industry professionals and build connections. and potentially secure referrals.

Arsheen Chopra: Ad Operations Specialist at Cluep

Arsheen’s journey offered a unique perspective shaped by the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Initially, she didn't have a plan to pursue marketing, but COVID-19 circumstances led her to choose GBC for the SRM program, where she discovered her passion for marketing and built a foundation for her career.

Post-graduation, Arsheen focused on building relationships within her workplace, particularly with senior staff. She highlighted the value of LinkedIn as a powerful platform for networking and job opportunities. In fact, she shared that strong networking through LinkedIn helped her secure her job with minimal effort. Arsheen encouraged creating meaningful LinkedIn connections for the long term and keeping them updated on professional milestones. She also cautioned against faking experience in resumes, as it can backfire during interviews. Arsheen emphasized the importance of being open to learning and understanding workplace culture. She advised us to be good listeners, respect others' ideas, and avoid having an "I know it all" attitude. This mindset helped her build strong professional relationships.

What I Learned from the Speakers

The seminar gave me some great insights from three experienced professionals. Claudia Guillem stressed the importance of targeting roles that match my skills and being confident during interviews. She also encouraged sending a follow-up email after rejections to leave a positive impression. Kate Loskutova highlighted how valuable hands-on learning through GBC’s Co-op program is and recommended mock interviews, clear communication with managers, and using LinkedIn to build connections. Arsheen Chopra talked about the power of LinkedIn for networking and the importance of being authentic in resumes and interviews. She also emphasized respecting workplace culture and being open to learning.

Reflections on How It Will Affect My Career Path

The speakers’ advice has made me rethink how I approach my career. Claudia’s focus on knowing my strengths and applying them to the right roles has inspired me to be more intentional in my job search. Kate’s emphasis on Co-op programs and networking is a great reminder of how important it is to learn on the job and connect with people in the industry. Arsheen’s advice on being authentic and adaptable has motivated me to stay open to new challenges, respect workplace culture, and build genuine relationships. These takeaways will help me build a solid foundation in my marketing career.

My Actionable Plan

From the seminar, I’ve developed a clear plan. First, I’ll focus on roles that align with my strengths, especially in CRM and digital marketing, and update my resume to showcase these skills. I’ll also work on networking by connecting with industry professionals on LinkedIn and attending career fairs. To build my confidence, I’ll do mock interviews and send follow-up emails after interviews. I plan to gain hands-on experience through Co-op placements and internships, which will help me learn quickly in a real-world setting. Lastly, I’ll focus on building authentic relationships, respecting workplace culture, and staying open to learning.